Colorado No More 24 - #NoMore24

I remember when I first moved to Colorado, one of the things that I heard about this lovely state was how it was one of the healthiest states. And I totally get it. They love the great outdoors and I see my friends talking about going into the mountains, going hiking, camping or even fishing. As a New Yorker, I'm all about the city and I love the city life, but I have to adjust to life here in Colorado because my kids are here and I've decided to call it "home". However, while Colorado is known as the healthiest state, for many Coloradans - especially our kids - the story is quite different. Did you know that Colorado ranks a mediocre 24th in the nation for our children’s level of physical activity, with nearly 55 percent of our kids not getting the recommended amount of physical activity each week?

My elder son is in high school with his younger brother in junior high and I asked about their PE schedule. My high schooler stated that they get PE only 2 times a week, while my junior high schooler states that he gets it 5 days a week, lucky him! Less than half of all Colorado middle school students attend PE five days a week, and nearly a third of Colorado middle schoolers don’t play sports outside of school. Colorado is one of only four states where physical education is not a required part of the state’s commitment to health. Hang your head in shame Colorado, hang your head in shame!!

When I lived in New York City, one of the things I loved about the city, although it's referred to as a concrete jungle was the fact that there was at least 3 parks within a mile radius of our home. The kids would always go out to either park and there they would run around to their hearts content, no matter what the weather was like. Here in Colorado, I've noticed that in order for my kids, especially my daughter to make it to a park, I have to drive at least 10 minutes to make it there, and that's to our closest park. There are no neighborhood parks in my neighborhood which makes it difficult for the kids to go out and enjoy themselves. Luckily I live in a cul-de-sac but before that, I lived in a neighborhood that didn't even have a sidewalk for my kids to walk on.

Healthy youths are fundamental to Colorado's future and physical activity and nutrition are good not just for your kids' bodies, but also for their developing brains. Research has found that when kids get enough exercise, their learning skills, attitude and behavior at school improve. The same is true when they have access to healthy food choices. By helping kids be more physically active and eat well, we help them succeed academically, better preparing them for lifelong success.

You can put an end to childhood obesity by helping LiveWell Colorado remove barriers to healthy eating and physical activity for all Coloradans.

I would love to help ensure all Coloradans have access to health, including:

Nutritious food at school

Healthy, affordable food in all Colorado communities

At least 30 minutes of physical activity each day in school for all students

Access to affordable recreational spaces after school for all children

Safe walking and biking opportunities

Join me in signing the pledge to end childhood obesity at NoMore24.org. Are you in?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of LiveWell Colorado. The opinions and text are all mine.

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102 comments

I think we live in a healthy state too! Or at least a healthy part of it. I get livid when Scarlet only gets 15 minutes for recess. 15!? And the food is old school at our school. I thought it would be more modern and healthy, but no!

We are lucky in our small community all kids get free healthy breakfast and lunches even in the summer. We also have PE classes 5 days a week adn our children are required to take one full year of Pe in order to graduate.

Great post! It is crazy how much things have changed and heartbreaking to read/witness the childhood obesity epidemic, which leads to so many other health problems. As a Mom & an RN, I really appreciate this post!

As a Colorado native I'm sad they made PE a lesser class. When I graduated in 2003 it was a required class from middle school up. We ran the mile and did a lot of sports. I'm sad it's not like that anymore. Love this post!!

Not being a Colorado native, I have no idea what it was like back then so it's good to hear from a local. I was disappointed that it wasn't mandatory here in high school. The older kids especially need it. I know my son does.

When I was growing up, we had lots of recesses in elementary school and middle school. PE was offered in high school, plus I played several sports. I, too, think it's a shame that children are not encouraged to get outside and exercise. My sister lives in CO and works at an elementary school. I'm going to ask her how much exercise the students get every day.

I think it's a shame! I'm only 27, my entire public education was filled with sports and P.E., whether we liked it or not! In high school, the physed options were gym (basically a joke, walking around the track) or Navy ROTC. I enjoyed ROTC, although I didn't want to be in the military. Not sure about what the actual laws were in TN at that time, or if they've changed, but I feel embarassed for Colorado not having a legal requirement to provide P.E.

This is such an important topic! Thank you for bringing awareness to preventing childhood obesity. The long term effects of being obsese are overwhelming-so preventive measures to curb this rising trend are vital!

I love this post. As a resident of Georgia, I can attest to how hard it is to stay healthy in a state where 90% of foods are fried. You have to make conscious decisions to stay healthy, while at the same time being careful not to give your kids a complex by making it about how they look.

Our kids last year had 1 recess. ONE. Near the end of the year a new principal came and starting in September they now have 3. I think its so important kids get exercise, free play and healthy foods. All my kids get gym class a few times a week, and I feel like now they finally get whats needed! - Jeanine

Thankfully, my kiddos go to a school where they have THREE recesses + P.E. I think it's sad when states start to cut back on physical education and the arts. Let kids be kids!! And since I'm on the soapbox... it seems like we're getting rid of yards for more home, but home is a place where you make memories even in the backyard. I'm currently renting, I hate that we do not have a good backyard for the kids to go play outside in, but they do have a place on the side yard to play b-ball, so that's good. XOwww.mrsaokaworkinprogress.com

I've noticed that too. When we bought our home, one of the things that I wanted was a bigger yard and while my husband was looking at the new houses being built, the new houses barely had any yards at all. We went with an older home with had a great front and backyard and we couldn't be happier.

I hate that PE isn't valued for kids. Our city is working to get more sidewalks so it's more walkable. We currently don't have sidewalks in our neighborhood (and forget about parks within walking distance!) We do make a real effort to get our son outside as often as possible.

I love that my son likes to take lunch from home because it is definitely healthier, there have been a few times that he's gotten sick from school lunch. Also love living in NYC because there are lots of free opportunities for kids to be healthy

The kids here have PE daily until they are done with 9th grade. 10th and up any physical fitness is elective. Thankfully, I keep my daughter active at home, but I do worry about those whose parents don't push them to be more active after 9th grade.

This is so important to make sure our kids try to have some sort of a healthy diet plan and exercise for sure. I recall a few years back my oldest ballooned up and I couldn't figure out why, I figured it out and made changes !

I actually WISHED our state was more like this. My son is in high school and he has to have gym all four years - every single day. It is mandatory whether you are involved in sports or not. It is frustrating because he has numerous classes that he would like to take - that are also mandatory to graduate (he is in a special science & math program) ad he has to wait to take these classes because he wastes a period in gym

And we would love for them to have gym every single day. I wouldn't consider it wasting a period a gym, there has to be a way for him to graduate as I'm sure other have done the same thing and graduated. It's really all about time management.

That's a shame that there aren't any closer parks. We just moved from a neighborhood that had 3 parks all within the actual neighborhood. It was really nice. Now we live in the country, so my kids play in the yard and the pasture every single day. I wish all kids had that opportunity!

Childhood obesity is something we need to focus our attention on. Babies and toddlers are cute when they're chubby but it won't do them well if they are in middle school and still overweight. My kids were active and engaged in after school sports activities. I love that NoMore24.org is raising awareness and encouraging participation to end childhood obesity.

I always knew of Colorado as the healthiest state but didn't realize they were so low on childhood physical activity! I am in because childhood obesity is so important to fight, and our children spending less and less time outside. PE should be everyday!

This is an important post for our kids! I'm a retired school principal and I watched as our PE services were cut. Not due to budget cuts, but due to time factors. We've got to get kids out playing MORE.

About Me

AnnMarie John is a travel and lifestyle blogger, wife, mom of 4, retired army veteran and a believer that travel makes your soul rich. She believes that everyone needs to get out of their comfort zone and visit at least one new place a year, and she's on a journey to make that happen. Join her on her adventures.